Last updated at 16:02, Friday, 10 August 2012

It is the biggest purchase most people will ever make but according to research we can be very impulsive when buying a house.

In a survey of 3,000 buyers, Rightmove found that 41 per cent of them decided to buy the house they now live in before even getting past the hallway.

It discovered that 29 per cent admit to making up their minds either when they first arrived or when they first set foot in the door. A further 12 per cent decided even earlier – after seeing the property online or advertised in a newspaper.

However, the National Association of Estate Agents (NAEA) warns against being too quick to make up your mind.

It says that the excitement that surrounds buying a property can sometimes detract from the importance of exploring your new surroundings.

The NAEA believes it can take between six and eight months to feel at home in a new area and so estate agent Harrison Murray offers some tips on the factors we should bear in mind when weighing up whether to buy a home in a particular area.

Visit the area a few times and spend some time driving around it. If it is in the countryside, visit the nearest towns and villages to get a feel for the bigger picture.

Call in at the local pub and get chatting with the landlord. Landlords usually know all about what’s happening in their locality.

Take your usual route to work or to the children’s school and travel it at different times of day to get an idea of your new journey times. Also seek out the nearest parks and opportunities for social activities.

Children aren’t always happy about moving house so it will reassure them if they know there are things to do nearby.

Find out about services on your doorstep – from the nearest doctors and dentists to the post office and library. And pick up a few menus from the local takeaways.

If you have pets, it may be worth finding a good boarding kennel or cattery in the new area to look after them for a day or two during the house move.

“For many people, moving home can be an exciting yet at the same time rather daunting experience – particularly if it is to a brand new area,” says Nick Salmon, Harrison Murray’s managing director. “However, if you do your homework properly you can ensure your new home suits the whole family.”

First published at 14:07, Friday, 10 August 2012
Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk